Xbox One Game Sharing/Used Game Policy Detailed

In an extensive online post, Microsoft has detailed how you’ll be able to share games with friends on the new console, and whether you'll be able to buy and sell used games.

In advance of E3 next week, Microsoft is addressing some of the thornier questions that gamers have had about its upcoming console. Chief among those concerns is Microsoft’s approach to used games, and whether you’ll be able to share your game collection with other Xbox One owners. It sounds like, in both cases, some big questions still linger.

On the used game front, Microsoft is punting the issue to publishers. “Today, some gamers choose to sell their old disc-based games back for cash and credit,” reads Microsoft’s post “We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers. Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games.” Taken at face value, this means that publishers like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft will be allowed to make a decision on a case by case basis about whether used game sales will be allowed for a given game. Publishers could also set up fees for this transfer, but Microsoft claims it will take no part of those fees.

As for game sharing, Microsoft now says that game sharing will be allowed, but in a far more limited fashion than how passing a game to a friend works today. “Xbox One is designed so game publishers can enable you to give your disc-based games to your friends. There are no fees charged as part of these transfers. There are two requirements: you can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days, and each game can only be given once.” In other words, people who have been newly added to your friends list won’t be allowed to accept game loans, and repeated loans won’t be allowed to the same friend.

In addition, Microsoft has revealed that up to ten players in your “family” can have access to your shared library of games from any console, and you’ll be able to access your full library of games and play them from any connected Xbox One. Rentals and other loan programs won't be available at system launch. Finally, all disc-based Xbox One games will be made available on day one as both retail releases and for purchase on Xbox Live.

Microsoft today also detailed its approach to the always online issue for the Xbox One, and offered a deeper understanding of how privacy settings will work on the new console.

What do you think of these developments about the Xbox One? Share your thoughts in the comments below.